Maine's Internet Ranking
According to Club HDTV 2024 rankings, Maine stands at 32nd place among
all states when it comes to internet coverage, speed, and availability. While this may not seem impressive, it's crucial
to understand the unique challenges of providing fiber internet Maine access in a largely rural and sparsely populated
state.
Availability of Internet
Access to Wired or Fixed Wireless Broadband - 93.8%
This means that approximately 93.8% of Maine residents can access internet plans with download speeds of at least
25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. However, nearly one in ten Mainers still lack this level of connectivity.
Access to Wired Low-Priced Broadband Plan - 38.5%
A concerning statistic is that about 61.5% of residents cannot
purchase broadband at an affordable price
of $60 per month or less, excluding promotions and government programs.
Access to Fiber-Optic Service - 22.3%
Eight out of ten residents do not have access to the high-speed capabilities of
fiber-optic internet,
which is known for its reliability and fast connection speeds.
Number of Internet Providers in Maine
Maine boasts a diverse range of internet service providers, but it's worth noting that most of them cover relatively small areas.
With over 2,938 internet service providers across the United States, it's essential to check by zip code to identify the options
available in your town.
Internet Speed in Maine
Club HDTV advocates for a definition of broadband internet as a minimum of 100 Mbps, emphasizing the need for faster connections,
particularly as more people engage in data-intensive online activities. In this context, Maine ranks 22nd among all states, with
92.6% of people having access to 100Mbps broadband. However, only 14% have access to gigabit-speed broadband.
Internet Coverage by Demographic
It's essential to consider internet access disparities among different demographics within Maine. Here are some key statistics.
Percentage of households with and without any type of internet access.
Type of internet connection
- Dialup only - 1%
- Broadband of any type - 85%
- Cellular data only - 9%
- Satellite - 5%
These figures reveal that while a majority of households have some form of internet access, there is still a significant
portion without any connectivity. The rural nature of many areas in Maine contributes to these disparities.
Internet Providers in Maine
Let's take a closer look at some of the internet providers Portland Maine. This table showcases the average download speed,
type of connection, availability, and ratings of the providers.
Top Internet Providers in Maine
| Internet Provider |
Average Download Speed |
Connection |
Availability |
| Spectrum |
1000 Mbps |
Cable |
66.2% |
| Always ON |
25 Mbps |
Fixed Wireless |
49.9% |
| RedZone Wireless |
100 Mbps |
Fixed Wireless, Fiber |
40.3% |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet |
100 Mbps |
Fixed Wireless |
22% |
| Trailrunner LLC |
50 Mbps |
Fixed Wireless |
15% |
| Fidium |
2000 Mbps |
Fiber |
11.2% |
| TK Networks |
1000 Mbps |
Fixed Wireless |
9.9% |
| Consolidated Communications |
100 Mbps |
DSL |
7.7% |
| Xfinity |
2000 Mbps |
Cable |
7.3% |
| GoNetspeed |
1000 Mbps |
Fiber, DSL |
5.9% |
Internet Providers By City in Maine
Maine cities vary in terms of internet availability. Here are the percentages of internet access in some
major cities along with the number of Maine internet providers.
- Portland - 98.8% with access to 22 providers
- Bangor - 98.7% with access to 24 providers
- Lewiston - 95.8% with access to 19 providers
- Augusta - 99.8% with access to 20 providers
- Biddeford - 94.5% with access to 20 providers
- Saco - 99.9% with access to 18 providers
Conclusion
So, while Maine faces challenges in providing high-speed internet access to all its residents, progress is being made.
The state's ranking of 32nd in internet coverage and the presence of various Internet providers Bangor Maine demonstrate
efforts to bridge the digital divide. Nevertheless, there is still work to be done to ensure that every Mainer has access
to fast and reliable internet services, especially in the more remote and underserved regions of the state.
